The John V. and Carol E. Winkle Scholarship Foundation Endowment Fund was created to provide scholarships to high school graduates located within the Community Foundation’s service area. Graduates of Hinckley-Big Rock High School and home-schooled students are also eligible for these awards if they reside within the Community Foundation’s service area.
John (1938-2010) and Carol (Crishal) Winkle (1937-2023) of Batavia and then Aurora were born in Youngstown, Ohio. They were graduates of Ursuline High School and Youngstown State University.
In 1969, the Winkles moved to Illinois where John joined and would later acquire the Weldstar Company in Aurora.
“Wink” and Carol touched many lives through their philanthropic endeavors and in their service to various organizations, including the Association for Individual Development, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Hesed House, Tri-City Family Services, area schools, and their churches (Holy Cross Parish and then Annunciation BVM).
Scholarships from their foundation will continue their belief in the potential of every human being and their sense of commitment to one’s community.
Honesty, integrity, and compassion were the core values upon which they built their personal and professional lives.
The Winkles are survived by their seven children and their families, including their biggest fans – their twenty-five grandchildren and ever-growing number of great-grandchildren.
